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Meyer Center for Special Children Celebrates 70 Years of Serving the Upstate’s Children with Disabilities

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Meyer Center for Special Children this year celebrates 70 years of serving the Upstate’s children with disabilities. During a special event held at the Meyer Center to commemorate the remarkable achievement, executive director Meta Bowers Hendricks unveiled an educational and creative timeline installation created by Emanate Brands and Environments. Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Greenville City Council Member John DeWorken each presented a signed proclamation declaring March 1, 2024, as “Meyer Center Day.” The timeline is showcased in the nonprofit’s lobby area and the city and state proclamations served to aid awareness of the Meyer Center and the immeasurable impact it has made on the lives of special needs children and their families in the community. They program also featured remarks about the Meyer Center’s past, present, and future from Hendricks, Chairman Bruce Bannister, and Meyer Center Board President Dave Gable. House Ways and Means Chairman Bannister additionally presented the Meyer Center with a House Resolution honoring the school’s service to the state.

“We are so excited to celebrate this monumental milestone in the Meyer Center’s history and extremely thankful for the community’s steadfast support over the past seven decades. Part of the 70th celebration is to recognize our long and vibrant history, re-engage past stakeholders, and engage new stakeholders that are passionate about our mission and wish to join us as we forge ahead into the next chapter of the Meyer Center,” Hendricks said.

Dr. Leslie Meyer founded the Meyer Center in 1954 with a belief that every child, regardless of disabilities, could benefit from quality education and therapy services. Seventy years later, the Meyer Center remains committed to Dr. Meyer’s vision, serving children with disabilities from all economic and demographic backgrounds who reside in Upstate South Carolina. Its unique model combines early childhood education, school-based therapies, and nursing services all under one roof – provided at a young age, this can change the trajectory of a child’s life and result in more opportunities for them to be included in the community, secure gainful employment, and enjoy long-term independence.

In honor of the 70th anniversary and to fuel the nonprofit’s plans to meet growing community needs and prepare for the next 70 years, the organization will launch an annual giving goal of $700,000. This goal contributes to the $2 million in private funds needed to operate annually.

“Dr. Meyer was a visionary – a forward thinker ahead of his time, and this year we honor his legacy and the great work that has been done in our 70 years,” Hendricks continued. “There is a strong need in our community for special education and intensive therapy – every year we have a wait list of between 50 and 80 students, and we are eager to serve them. But we need the funds to be able to simultaneously sustain and expand services.”

Anyone wishing to participate in this celebratory annual giving campaign can do so by visiting www.meyercenter.org/donate. Or, to make a longer-term impact, one can join the 1954 Club and contribute a minimum of $19.54 per month to help sustain Meyer Center operations into the future.

Monica Gibson, the Meyer Center’s director of development, emphasized the importance of private funding to the Meyer Center’s operations. “40% of our $4.8 million budget comes from private donors through individual gifts and special events,” she said. “Donations to this year’s annual campaign will help us reach our short- and long-term goals such as offering an after-school program and expanding our space. We encourage all who are interested in learning more to check out our website, schedule a tour, get involved in our upcoming events, and reach out to speak with us about making a lasting impact.”

In addition to donating and contributing to the annual campaign, enrich the lives of children with disabilities through advocacy, volunteerism, and fundraising by becoming a member of Impact!, a group of like-minded community members that support the Meyer Center through fundraising, social events, and volunteer opportunities. Other ways to engage and help continue the vision of Dr. Meyer include planning a visit to tour the school and meet the children, volunteering at Meyer Center, hosting a fundraiser, and organizing a supply drive. Those interested in these opportunities should email Alyssa Bonner at [email protected].

Meyer Center is located at 1132 Rutherford Road in Greenville, SC. To learn more about the Meyer Center’s mission, programs, and events visit www.meyercenter.org and follow @meyercenter.

About the Meyer Center for Special Children
Seventy years ago, Dr. Leslie Meyer founded the Meyer Center with a belief that every child, regardless of disabilities, could benefit from quality education and therapy services. Dr. Meyer’s vision carries through today, where students receive life-changing treatment through a curriculum focusing on social and emotional learning, daily living skills, music, dance, movement, group exercise and field trips – improving their quality of life, and their families’ quality of life. A South Carolina Public Charter School for students ages three and up, the Meyer Center is the only place in Upstate SC where young children with disabilities can receive all their special education and intensive therapies under one roof, allowing parents the flexibility to work or care for other family members. A place where children often make their first friends, learn to feed themselves and tie their own shoes, the Meyer Center celebrates the impact – both measurable and immeasurable – of 70 years of service to our state’s children with disabilities.

Amy Muñoz named director of Financial Aid at Greenville Technical College

Amy Muñoz

Amy Muñoz has been selected as director of Financial Aid at Greenville Technical College (GTC). Muñoz joined the college in 2007, starting as a fiscal technician in the Business Office, later joining the Financial Aid department as an advisor, and serving the college’s satellite campuses with advising, admissions, financial aid, and other needs for several years. She returned to Financial Aid as a program manager in 2016 and became the department’s director of operations in 2018.

Muñoz began her college education in GTC’s University Transfer program, later earning a bachelor’s degree in advertising and business from the University of South Carolina. She also completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training Program and is a graduate of the SC Technical College System Leadership Academy, a year-long professional development program.

Meghan Garrett Joins Marsh Bell Construction as Office Manager

Meghan Garrett brings 20+ years of business experience to Marsh Bell Construction

Marsh Bell Construction has hired Meghan Garrett as Office Manager. She replaces Karen Ghizzoni, who is retiring after more than 15 years of service to the company.

Meghan brings 22 years of business experience as a senior sales and account specialist in the insurance industry. In her new role, she will be responsible for subcontractor contracts and insurance certificates; tracking and processing invoices for subcontractors and material providers; coordinate new project proposals; manage marketing activities, as well as day-to-day office communications. Meghan is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Clemson University.

“We’re excited for Meghan’s future contributions and to see how she can impact our company,” said Marsh Bell Chief Accounting Officer Sam Rogers. “Her passion for continuous learning and excellence is what made her a perfect fit for the position. This is a role that requires wearing a lot of hats and Meghan’s ability to learn on the fly will help us excel.”

Peak Drift Brewing Company and Columbia Craft Brewing Company Establish Craft Brew Inc.

Peak Drift Brewing Company and Columbia Craft Brewing Company, award-winning craft beer companies based in Columbia, SC, have joined forces under the establishment of a new parent company for regional breweries, Craft Brew Inc. The formation of this company will strengthen the craft beer industry in the Midlands and throughout South Carolina.

Craft Brew Inc. was formed through joint efforts from both brewery management teams and was established to be a holding company of multiple brands. It will serve as a one-stop shop for craft breweries and beverage companies that want to scale up their production, directly print their cans in-house and utilize resources within a family of brands where economies of scale are created.

“Peak Drift is forming strategic partnerships for long-term success,” says Jordan Styles, owner and chief executive officer, Peak Drift. “We are committed to industry collaboration and the creation of Craft Brew Inc. will help cultivate the security of craft beer in South Carolina.”

Craft Brew Inc. will begin with two brands under its name and has plans to add more breweries into this alliance in the future. The focus is to keep each brand identity but to grow the Craft Brew Inc. name corporately. Currently, Craft Brew Inc. distributes products state-wide in South Carolina and exports to the United Kingdom.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Craft Brew Inc. family and we look forward to growing our footprint and creating amazing products for craft beer enthusiasts everywhere,” says Richard Strauss, former managing member, Columbia Craft. “This partnership will further develop the region and industry by continuing to position South Carolina as a leader in producing award-winning craft beer.

Peak Drift’s partnership with Columbia Craft started in 2023, when Peak Drift began partner brewing select Columbia Craft beer at its 25,000-square-foot production facility. As Craft Brew Inc. continues to expand its family of brands, the individual brand identities of the breweries and management teams will remain in place. Columbia Craft will continue to operate its taproom located at 520 Greene Street in Columbia.

About Peak Drift Brewing Company
Founded in 2021, Peak Drift Brewing Company is an innovative craft beverage company based in Columbia, South Carolina. Capturing life’s peak experiences, Peak Drift features high-quality craft beers, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages inspired by the landscapes of the Southeast region. Peak Drift products are available at select stores, bars and restaurants throughout Columbia, S.C., Greenville, S.C. and at Smoked, a restaurant in the heart of downtown Columbia. For more information, visit www.peakdriftbrewing.com.

Website: https://www.peakdriftbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeakDriftBrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakdriftbrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeakDriftBrew
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peakdriftbrewing

About Columbia Craft Brewing Company
Columbia Craft was founded in November 2017 and is a production brewery and taproom located at 520 Greene St., in the heart of the Vista. Since its opening, Columbia Craft has been dedicated to brewing a unique lineup of ales, lagers, sours and barrel-aged beers, including many that have received regional and national medals. Visit the taproom, take a tour and enjoy one of the brewery’s 16 selections on tap. For more information, visit www.columbiacraft.com.

Website: https://columbiacraft.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaCraft/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbiacraft/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Columbia_Craft
Untappd: https://untappd.com/ColumbiaCraftBrewingCompany

Lilly Carroll Joins The Midtown Office Of C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS

GREENVILLE, SC –  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS is pleased to announce that Lilly Carroll has joined the company’s Midtown office as a sales associate.

Lilly is a native of Simpsonville, SC and has lived there for over ten years. After graduating from Hillcrest High School, she embarked on her real estate journey after attending The Wyatt School of Real Estate. She loves serving her community and real estate gives her the opportunity to do that every day. Lilly is energetic, unforgettable, and dedicated to fulfilling your real estate needs. While staying up to date on the latest technology and current trends, she can provide her clients with up-to-date information to make informed decisions. She prides herself on having excellent client care and communication skills.

Lilly is truly invested in the Simpsonville area. Her experience in real estate and familiarity with the Simpsonville region will be assets to both buyers and sellers.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Lilly to our family of professional real estate agents. I look forward to watching her career grow as she begins her career with The JK Group here at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C Dan Joyner, REALTORS,” said Matthew Thrift, Broker-In-Charge of the Midtown office.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS
Founded in 1964 by C. Dan Joyner, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS is the Upstate’s leading real estate company, selling more homes than any other firm in this region. The family-owned company has 8 offices and over 450 agents providing residential and commercial real estate, property management, relocation and senior services. For more information, visit www.cdanjoyner.com.

Coalition advocates for passage of the South Carolina Justice Act

The South Carolina Coalition for Lawsuit Reform (SCCLR) recently gathered on the State House steps to address longstanding issues with the state’s legal liability system and to rally for the passage of the South Carolina Justice Act.

The briefing focused on the adverse impacts of current South Carolina law, which can leave defendants fully responsible for damages in lawsuits regardless of their level of fault.

Under current South Carolina law, defendants can be held fully liable for damages in lawsuits even if they are only partially at fault. This system disproportionately affects businesses, including small businesses, which may struggle to withstand the financial burden of hefty lawsuits. Moreover, this legal framework results in increased insurance premiums, reduced availability of insurance coverage, and targets those perceived as having “deep pockets.”

The South Carolina Justice Act intends to address the inequities within the state’s statutory scheme. The bill aims to correct the language in the existing law to ensure that parties are held liable for damages proportional to their actual responsibility for the damage or injury.

At the briefing, Tom Mullikin, SCCLR President and General Counsel, emphasized the importance of civil justice to the state’s businesses and urged the Senate to pass the Justice Act. “Our efforts are in response to the call from the South Carolina Supreme Court to address the inequities within the state’s statutory scheme,” Mullikin said. “The South Carolina Justice Act bill would correct wording in the current law that presently allows for parties to be held totally liable for damages when they have only a small percentage of actual responsibility for the damage or injury.”

Industry sector leaders and representatives of small and large businesses, as well as veterans’ service organizations and non-profit and arts advocacy groups joined in support of the cause. Alongside Mullikin, the lineup of speakers included Rep. Mark Smith, District 99, Sen. Ross Turner, District 8, Sen. Shane Massey, District 25, Jake Scott, Collum’s Lumber Products LLC, Lowell Koppert, U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, Aiken County Veterans Council chairman, small business owner and Tim Aponte, Director of Health, Safety, & Security, McCall Farms.

The South Carolina Coalition for Lawsuit Reform serves as the united voice for the business community on tort and workers’ compensation issues; coordinating lobbying, legal, grassroots, and public relations activities. For more information about the SCCLR and the South Carolina Justice Act, visit sclawsuitreform.org.

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QUOTES

“As a manufacturer that depends on a timely and efficient supply chain to bring timber into our sawmill so that we can get our products to the marketplace, I understand the real-life negative impacts that our state’s civil justice system is having on our economy. In our industry alone, we have seen commercial liability insurance rates triple in many cases since 2017. Increased insurance premiums and liability costs only hurts our state’s broader economy by prohibiting businesses from reinvesting back into their operations or their employees.” – Jake Scott, Vice President of Operations, Collum’s Lumber Products, LLC, Allendale, S.C.

“Our business, like many others in the state, has been hit with rising liability costs and increasing insurance premiums because of the imbalanced civil justice system in South Carolina. This increases the cost of doing business. This in turn raises prices for consumers. Thankfully, the South Carolina Justice Act would remedy this issue and restore fairness to an unfair system by making clear that defendants less than 50 percent responsible for an incident or accident are only liable for damages equivalent to their portion of fault. This common-sense solution will go a long way to restoring a more fair and reasonable system of justice in our state that brings certainty to businesses that operate here.” – Tim Aponte, Health, Safety & Security Director, McCall Farms, Effingham, S.C.

“I am here today not to speak on behalf of veterans or for veterans. I am here today to speak alongside veterans. We as a group stand to lose something that is very near and dear to us. Something our predecessors created for us and something we earned the right to be a part of through our service to this great nation. I am talking about our Veteran Service Organizations; you may know them as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Purple Heart Chapter, the Special Forces Association, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps Leagues and the Military Officers Association of America, to name a few. These organizations are closing their doors, unfortunately, due to the rising cost of liquor liability insurance. These are organizations that were created around the simple principle of service. Service to the community in which they reside. As these organizations close their doors, it is not only the veterans that lose out, it is the community as a whole.” – Lowell Koppert, U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, Aiken County Veterans Council chairman, small business owner

“South Carolina prides itself on being a business-friendly state, but businesses are under tremendous pressure to continue to operate as their insurance rates steadily climb because of the impact of joint and several liability. Businesses are often told that they must take total financial responsibility for something where another party is at fault. That’s not fair, and that’s not right. S. 533 will help us return fairness to our liability laws. Fairness is what South Carolinians understand and expect from the Legislature.” – Leslie Clark, COO, SC Government Relations & Divisions Director, Carolinas AGC

The YoPro Know seeking input on workforce satisfaction

GREENVILLE, S.C. — As part of its mission to help businesses develop young professionals, The YoPro Know has launched two surveys aiming to delve further into the culture, ethos, and pitfalls of the modern workplace.
Two different surveys from The YoPro Know are live: one for current young professionals, those ages 21 to 39, and one for future young professionals, those who are in high school and college and will soon enter the workforce. People can take the Current YoPro Survey here and the Future YoPro Survey here.
The survey focuses on the qualities that young people value in the companies they work for (or want to work for); the things they feel they’re lacking professionally; how connected they feel with other generations at work; benefits they’d like to see more companies offer’ and many other questions.

The YoPro Know is an innovative consulting group that is changing the way businesses engage with young professionals. It draws on its exclusive content and knowledge base to help business leaders better attract young professionals using digital branding and culture.

About The YoPro Know:

The YoPro Know’s mission is to help businesses develop the future leaders of our workforce through research, education, and recruiting and retention consulting. Based in Greenville, S.C. with a national community, The YoPro Know promotes success in the workplace by being a bridge between ambitious young professionals and progressive businesses who want to recruit, engage, and retain them. Learn more at www.yoproknow.com.

Infinity Marketing Promotes Thompson to Senior Director of People and Culture

Cassie Thompson

Greenville, S.C. – Infinity Marketing (“Infinity”), a client and results-focused integrated marketing agency established in 1993, celebrates Cassie Thompson’s promotion to Senior Director of People and Culture.

“Infinity’s greatest strength is our people,” said Thompson. “I’m energized by the opportunity to continue building on the success of Infinity’s 30 years in business and to nurture the exceptional culture we’ve created.”

A graduate of Bob Jones University, Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and a Master of Arts in Performance Studies. She joined Infinity in 2017 as Organizational Development Manager and was later promoted to Director of Organizational Development in 2020.

Her other achievements include being named one of Greenville Business Magazine’s “Best & Brightest 35 and Under” in 2020 and earning her Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional Credential (SHRM-SCP) in 2021. Most recently, she has joined the board of the Greenville Society for Human Resource Management as Professional Development Director.

“Cassie’s talents have enabled us to empower our internal talent pool and successfully recruit new talent that meshes with our culture and needs,” said President Bo Rogers. “She navigates her responsibilities with humor and grace, constantly seeking to put the company in the best position to succeed and grow. We’re extremely thankful to have her
on our team.”

Thompson has been continuously recognized for her professional drive and dedication to strengthening employee relations and encouraging others to embrace professional development, most notably by establishing internal processes and training focused on the CliftonStrengths© program as a Gallup Certified Coach.

In her new role, she will explore ways to expand these efforts, acting as a liaison across all departments. She will also partner with senior leaders to develop internal plans that can evolve and adapt to today’s rapidly changing marketplace.

About Infinity Marketing
Founded in 1993, Infinity Marketing is an award-winning integrated marketing agency in Greenville, S.C., offering a spectrum of services that can be blended in customized ways to help our clients achieve their goals.

Countybank Foundation Donates $25000 to Self Regional Healthcare Foundation

Pictured (left to right) are Ken Coffey, Executive Director for Self Regional Healthcare Foundation; John Wiseman, Director of Fixed Income for Greenwood Capital; John Cooper, Senior Private Client Advisor for Greenwood Capital; Walter Todd, President/CIO for Greenwood Capital; Dayle Mumford, Professional and Executive Banking for Countybank; David Tompkins, Commercial Banking Manager for Countybank; April Prince, Trust Officer for Countybank Trust; and Wells Dunlap, Senior Operations Officer for Countybank.

The Countybank Foundation, established in 1971 representing Countybank and Greenwood Capital, donated $25,000 to Self Regional Healthcare Foundation.

This most recent donation will go toward supporting Self Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Equation for Progress Campaign. The campaign supports the da Vinci robotic surgery technology and support to establish a comprehensive breast center for women.

“These two projects have the potential for touching countless lives in our community as prostate and breast cancer are two of the most common forms of cancer and the second leading cause of death among men and women in Greenwood and the Lakelands,” said Ken Coffey, Executive Director, Self Regional Healthcare Foundation. “Countybank and Greenwood Capital have been leaders among our corporate donors, and their continuing support of our mission is very much appreciated.”

“We are pleased to be able to make a gift of this magnitude to the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation and be part of the solution to the Equation for Progress for the betterment of those touched by breast and prostate cancer,” said David Tompkins, Commercial Banking Manager for Countybank.

“Over our long history of supporting the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation, we have witnessed firsthand the many tremendous healthcare innovations the foundation has implemented,” said John Cooper, Senior Private Client Advisor for Greenwood Capital. “We appreciate what Self Regional does for patients of Greenwood and the surrounding counties.”

Countybank and Greenwood Capital have a longstanding relationship with Self Regional Healthcare, having made numerous donations over the years to support innovative research and renovations. Annette Scott, Chief Financial Officer for Countybank; and Cooper currently serve on the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and Tompkins previously served as Chair of Self Regional Healthcare’s Board of Directors.

Self Regional Healthcare Foundation supports the hospital in its mission to provide advanced, quality care to better patient outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. For more information about Self Regional Healthcare Foundation, visit selfregionalfoundation.org.

Bill Rhodes Earns NAR Designation in Senior Real Estate

Greenville, S.C. — Bill Rhodes with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS has earned the nationally recognized Seniors Real Estate Specialist® designation from the SRES® Council of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Bill joins more than 15,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the SRES® designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in understanding the needs, considerations, and goals of real estate buyers and sellers aged 55 and older.

“Working with seniors to meet their housing needs requires an expert understanding of their lifestyle and financial needs, and the SRES® designation means that a REALTOR® has that understanding,” said Jennifer Rzeszewski, Vice President and Executive Director of the Center for REALTOR® Development. “Whether they are buying, selling, relocating, or refinancing, seniors can be confident that a REALTOR® with their SRES® designation will be able to help them every step of the way.”

SRES® Council, founded in 2007, is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing senior clients in real estate transactions. There are more than 15,000 active members of the organization worldwide.

The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.